Trial postponed in Vegas 'Thunder' shooting case

The Associated Press

Posted:
09/03/2014 09:07:46 AM MDT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Nevada judge postponed retrial indefinitely and scheduled a competency hearing for a man accused of firing a gun while trying to steal costumes and props from "Thunder From Down Under" male revue cast members at a Las Vegas Strip resort.

Joey Kamari, 25, also could get a new lawyer appointed Thursday, after his attorney, Joshua Tomsheck, withdrew from his case.

Clark County District Judge Jerome Tao let Tomsheck off the case despite Kadmiri saying Tuesday that he wanted to represent himself and have Tomsheck remain at his side.

Tao scheduled Kadmiri's competency hearing for Sept. 26.

Kadmiri acknowledged he has been treated for mental illness and said he believes Tomsheck and prosecutors conspired against him with a plea deal to avoid another trial on felony burglary, robbery, battery and weapon charges, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

Kadmiri's first trial ended in mistrial in July after jurors reported discussing the case among themselves.

The plea deal could have put Kadmiri in prison for up to 25 years. He is being held at the Clark County jail on $500,000 bail.

Kadmiri is accused of firing a handgun during a March 18 struggle with several muscular "Thunder From Down Under" cast members at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino. He has pleaded not guilty.

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Prosecutors say the cast members found Kadmiri backstage trying to steal their belongings and restrained him until police arrived. They also say a bullet narrowly missed a dancer's face before lodging in a wall, and that one cast member suffered ear damage, along with gunpowder burns to his face and eye. Another received lesser injuries.

Police reported finding more than 2 grams of methamphetamine on Kadmiri, who told investigators that he was under the influence when he was arrested.

Kadmiri told the judge he takes prescription medication for anxiety, depression "and some other stuff," The Review-Journal reported (http://bit.ly/1rMzgni ).

Tomsheck has said his former client had a diagnosed history of mental illness.

The lawyer said in court Tuesday that while Kadmiri's mental health issues may have gotten worse in recent weeks, he believes his former client will be found competent to stand trial.